Norman Cocker

COCKER, Norman. b. Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire, 1889; d. Dukinfield, Cheshire, 15 November 1953. He was a chorister at Magdalen College, Oxford, and organ scholar at Merton College, Oxford, from which he was sent down for not doing enough work. He later taught at his old school, Magdalen College School (1912-15) while also being organist and choirmaster, St Philip and St James’s Church, Oxford (1909-13). After the Great War of 1914-1918 he was appointed sub-organist of Manchester Cathedral in 1919. He stayed there until his death, first as sub-organist and then as organist from 1943 onwards. Cocker was a much-loved figure in Manchester, where he was greatly respected as an organist and choir...